Act One, continued

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Summary

From the entrance of Nora’s children to the end of
Act One.

The nanny, Anne-Marie, enters with Nora’s three children,
and Nora and the children play happily. Krogstad enters and startles Nora,
who screams. He apologizes and says that the door was open, and
Nora replies that Torvald is not at home. Krogstad says that he has
come to talk with her, not with Torvald. He asks whether the woman
walking with Torvald is Mrs. Linde, and Nora responds in the affirmative.
When Krogstad explains that he used to know Mrs. Linde, Nora tells
him that she already knew, and Krogstad says that he assumed that
she did. He then asks if the bank will employ Mrs. Linde, and Nora
brags that it will because, even though she is a woman, Nora has
a great deal of influence over her husband.

Krogstad then requests that Nora use her influence on
his behalf. Nora is bewildered, because she does not know why Krogstad’s position
at the bank would be in jeopardy. Krogstad seems to think that Nora
knows more than she is letting on and hints that he thinks the hiring
of Mrs. Linde will bring about his dismissal. Suddenly, Nora revokes
her earlier claims and denies that she has any influence. Krogstad
says that as a bank manager, Torvald, “like all married men . .
. can be swayed,” and Nora accuses Krogstad of insulting her husband.

Nora assures Krogstad that she will repay all her loans
by the new year and asks him to leave her alone. Krogstad implies
that he isn’t concerned only about the money; his position at the
bank is very important to him. He speaks of a “bad mistake” he committed, which
ruined his reputation and made it very difficult for his career to
advance. Thus, he tells Nora, he began doing “the business that you
know about.” Krogstad announces that he wishes to rebuild his reputation
and to behave properly for the sake of his sons, who are growing
up. His small bank job, he explains, was the beginning of this rebuilding
of his life and reputation. He then threatens Nora, saying that
he has “the power to force” her to help him.

Nora replies that though it would be unpleasant for her
husband to find out that she had borrowed from Krogstad, Torvald
would pay off the loan, and dealings with Krogstad would be terminated. In
addition, Krogstad would lose his job. Krogstad says that Nora has
other things to worry about: he has figured out that Nora forged her
father’s signature on the promissory note. Krogstad informs Nora
that her forgery is a serious offense, similar to the one that sullied
his reputation in the first place. Nora dismisses Krogstad’s suggestion,
saying that she should not be faulted because her motives were honorable
and pure, but Krogstad reminds her of the law. He threatens her
once more and then leaves. The children return, but Nora sends them
away. Though she is clearly disturbed by what has just happened,
she makes an attempt to decorate the tree.

Torvald returns and mentions that he noticed Krogstad
departing. He guesses that Krogstad has asked Nora to speak on his behalf.
After some hesitation, Nora admits as much. Torvald scolds Nora
for speaking to Krogstad and warns her not to lie to him (Torvald).
Nora changes the subject and asks Torvald if he will help her find
the perfect costume for the party. Nora asks what Krogstad did to
warrant his bad reputation. Torvald responds that he forged signatures.
Nora asks what his motives were in the matter. Torvald says he would
never condemn a man for one indiscretion, but the real problem with
Krogstad was that he refused to admit what he had done and take
his punishment. Torvald talks about how lying and deceit corrupts
a household’s children: “nearly all young criminals have had lying
mothers.” Torvald exits, and the nanny enters and says the children
badly want to see their mother. Nora vehemently refuses, and the
nanny departs. Terrified, Nora mutters about the thought of corrupting
her children. In the next breath, however, she rejects the idea
that such corruption could occur.

Analysis

As Act One draws to a close, we see Nora wrestling with
new problems of fear, guilt, and wrongdoing. Her conversation with Krogstad
reveals Krogstad as the source of the loan Nora used to pay for
her family’s trip to Italy. Although the taking of the loan constitutes
a crime because she forged a signature to get it, Nora takes pride
in it because it remains one of the few independent actions she has
ever taken. Nora is also proud that she is able to influence her husband,
as she boasts to Krogstad. Nora’s boasts about influencing Torvald
reveal her desire to feel useful and important. That Nora points
out that even though she is a woman Krogstad should respect her
influence over bank policy suggests that she senses and fears rejection
of her significance on account of her gender. Perhaps she must combat
this idea even in her own mind.

it says in the character analysis that krogstad was shunned by society and wasn't let by people to move on from his past. i think that because of this, krogstad tries to blackmail nora for her forgery as a means of compensating for the unfair treatment he received.

In our Lit class we also discussed the hypocritical nature of Torvald, and how he goes directly against what he earlier states are his attitudes and how he would respond (for example, he says "I am not so heartless as to condemn a man... because of a single false step", yet he is quick to condemn Nora when he discovers the forgery she had committed).